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‘General Hospital’ Favorite Johnny Wactor Dead at 37

Photo: ABC

Former General Hospital cast member, Johnny Wactor (ex-Brando Corbin), has died. Wactor’s mother, Scarlett confirmed to TMZ, that her son passed away early Saturday morning on May 25th. He was 37-years-old.

The details surrounding Johnny’s death are harrowing. He was reportedly shot and killed in downtown Los Angeles after three unidentified suspects were allegedly seen trying to steal a catalytic converter from his car,” shared Scarlett. She was also told Johnny didn’t try to fight or stop them. However, the men shot him anyway before taking off and fleeing the scene of the crime.

According to police reports, the paramedics rushed to the scene just after 3 AM PT, but Wactor died on his way to the hospital. At this time, police have not shared the description of the three suspects, but Johnny’s mother, is hoping they will be found soon.

Photo: ABC

Wactor made his GH debut in 2020 as Brando and was the son of Gladys Corbin (Bonnie Burroughs). Brando fell in love with Sasha Gilmore ( got married and then the couple lost their premature son, Liam, which tore them both apart. In 2022, Brando was killed by the serial killer, The Hook, which turned to be Heather Webber (Alley Mills).

Photo: ABC

One of Johnny’s first acting credits was in 2007 on Lifetime’s Army Wives. He later starred as Johnny in NBC’s Siberia, a supernatural drama filmed in the reality competition series vein. He also had several dramatic guest-starring roles in series such as: Criminal Minds, NCIS, Station 19 and more. As well, on the film side, Wactor had a featured role in 2016’s USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage, a World War II drama starring Nicolas Cage and Tom Sizemore. More recently (in 2024), he starred as Marcus in Dead Talk Tales: Volume I.  Wactor was also seen in several national commercials.

Photo: ABC

Johnny is survived by his mother and younger brothers, Grant and Lance.

Share your thoughts and condolences for Johnny’s family, and please share your heartfelt remembrances of Johnny, who tragically is now gone too soon, via the comment section below.  Michael Fairman TV will continue to update this developing story.

 

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Such awful news – hoping the assailants are brought to justice. A lot of the cast is posting how sweet and kind Johnny was. Another shocking sad departure for the GH family.

Condolences to his mom, brothers, friends and coworkers.

So dreadful and eerily reminiscent. Deepest condolences to friends and family.

This is just awful. Los Angeles is no longer safe. Shows filmed there need to leave LA for the safety of their employees.

Simply not true. Please stop making generalizations based on one (incredibly sad) incident. Focus on support for those he left behind.

It’s true. Watch the news. Los Angeles not safe and it’s getting worse. Local and national news supports this

You are using the wrong venue to make misinformated assumptions. This thread should be about remembering what a great guy Johnny was.

But, since you made a generalization, I looked up the statistics, citywide, overall crime is lower than 2022 numbers. Auto part theft (a contributing factor in Johnny’s situation) is up. And this is specific to certain areas (such as downtown).

Regardless if statistics, rest in peace Johnny. And comfort to his family, friends and acquaintances.

She is right about that.

Thank you, Steve. Why is it so hard for some to demonstrate basic human decency and empathy when a senseless tragedy occurs? If they have a political agenda they need to find another platform to voice it. This is not the place.

Really sad news it’s heartbreaking. Condolences to his family, his mom and brothers, just really sad.

Shut your mouth. This could happen anywhere

It could happen anywhere, agree, but seems that these things happen alot in Cali. Actors who are well established can live in gated communities with security and don’t have to work in downtown in wee hours. These newer actors don’t have that luxury. Hope cops catch them soon.

So sad to hear. Prayers to his family. and friends I really enjoyed him as Brando.

This news in unbelievable! I feel so sad that Johnny Wactor is gone… too soon.

The other day, I was watching GH, when Sasha and Cody were having dinner and drinking wine, and Sasha was talking about Brando, and I thought, what a shame that GH offed Brando. I was thinking I wish they hadn’t because I really LOVED Brando and Sasha. I don’t feel the same about her and Cody. I was wishing they would be Gladys back with his twin brother… I guess that will never happen.

I loved Johnny Wactor on GH as Brando. What a shame GH didn’t keep him on.

Send thoughts and prayers to Johnny’s mother and his family.

What a big loss.

37!!!

I could not believe this terrible news. Johnny seemed like the same sweet guy he played as Brando on GH. My condolences to his family in this senseless crime. I’d never seen him in anything other than GH and fell in love right away, he seemed like such a neat guy. He and Sasha were so great together, what a loss for everyone involved.

Devastating, shocking, news. Such a waste, such an utter, utter, waste, that in the blink of an eye someone can end your life. He was young, healthy, by all accounts a very good person, and just like that…gone. It’s just too horrible. I just feel sad; so very sad. I can see his smile; he always smiled on GH. What a cutie…ugh. I hope those bastards are caught and are locked up for life.

And those piecing blue eyes. Damn, what a senseless tragedy.

Beyond sad. My condolences to his family, friends and other loved ones.

My god, that’s horrendous! What a senseless murder over a damn car part. I don’t understand what’s the matter with some people these days. It just makes you shake your head sometimes.

My condolences to Johnny’s family and friends.

What a senseless tragedy. Just when you think you’ve heard it all. God. I cannot imagine the pain his mother & brothers are facing. I have been missing him on GH, wished he was still there. So sorry. I hope they catch the bastards & they fry.

What a tragedy. My condolences to the family and I pray the shooter is found and brought to justice. I liked him (and Brando) and I hoped he had found other acting jobs and was doing ok. Sad to hear he was having to bartend to make ends meet. I mean, I know many actors work in restaurants and bars when acting jobs are scarce. It just makes me sad If things had been better for him, he wouldn’t have had to be there that night and would still be alive. His poor family. And shame on the municipalities for their pattern of looking the other way instead of actually cracking down on crime and cleaning up their town.

I JUST HAVE 3 WORDS FOR MURDEROUS SCUM LIKE THAT…THE ELECTRIC CHAIR!!!!!

I have two more words for them. Dragon Chow.

agree but Calif did away with that

Jeanette, stop with the politics. This is not the time or the place. Show and respect.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Heartbreaking!
RIP Johnny!!

Just awful, horrible, no-good news! It’s heartbreaking. Condolances to his family and friends. I appreciated what he brought to the GH viewers and was anxious to see what was next for him. Godd Bless.

I hope those douchebags who killed him get life in prison.

Shocking and sad news. I really like his portrayal of Brando. I don’t know anything about LA but employers should make sure that employees who work late in downtown LA have a safe place a short distance from work to park. My son did an internship there for a year in downtown LA and he was sent on more than one occasion in wee hours of morning to put money in his boss’ parking meter in downtown. Sympathy to his family.

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Jonathan Jackson Returning to General Hospital as Lucky Spencer

The big return that General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini teased after the show won Outstanding Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards has turned about to be, as promised, a true fan favorite and beloved actor for longtime fans of the ABC daytime drama series.

Five-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jonathan Jackson is on his way back to the ABC soap in his signature role as Lucky Spencer, the son of the iconic supercouple, Luke (Tony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis).

According to Deadline, Jackson’s on-screen return will happen later this summer and is expected to be for a “long run.” This announcement comes on the heels of yesterday’s GH casting news when they revealed that two-time Daytime Emmy winner Bryan Craig was coming back for a one-day appearance in the role of Morgan Corinthos.

Photo: JPI

As for Jackson, he began his GH career at 11-years-old back in 1993, winning viewers hearts and captivating the audience with his brilliant performances. In fact, his on-screen dad, eight-time Daytime Emmy winner, Tony Geary, has many times said that Jonathan is his all-time favorite scene partner.

Jonathan stayed with GH until 1999. The role was then recast with Jacob Young and later with Greg Vaughan. Eventually, Jackson returned to the role of Lucky for another run in 2009 to 2011.

After his GH departure, Jackson went on to star in ABC’s country music soap opera, Nashville in the role of Avery Barclay for six seasons playing opposite another soap alum, Hayden Panettiere (ex-Lizzie, GL). Jonathan returned once again to GH for a limited run back in 2015. Jackson has won five Daytime Emmys for his work as Lucky in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2011 and again in 2012.

Photo: JPI

When Valentini told ABC7 ‘s On the Red Carpet at the Daytime Emmys, “A former cast member is coming back, and I think that the audience will go crazy for him,” speculation was rampant of just which male actor was coming back to the show. Many fans hoped and many predicted Jackson, and now they will get their wish. Could Lucky finally reunite with Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) when he returns to Port Charles? Stay tuned.

Recently, Jonathan has appeared in the film Unsung Hero about the family back-story of the hit Contemporary Christian/Pop duo For King and Country, plus has appeared in numerous other TV, film and music projects.

Photo: JPI

Jackson continues to perform as a musician around the world with his band Jonathan Jackson + Enation, plus several tours with cast members from Nashville, and is also an accomplished writer penning the theological prose, The Mystery of Art.

So, are you excited for Jonathan Jackson’s long-awaited return as Lucky Spencer? Comment below.

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Bryan Craig Returning to General Hospital as Morgan Corinthos

It looks like the teases Bryan Craig was dropping on social media were true, sort of.  According to TV Line, Craig is returning to the ABC daytime drama series to reprise his two-time Daytime Emmy-winning role as Morgan Corinthos.

However, it looks for now as if Craig is returning just for one episode. Circle August 1st for when he reappears on the long-running soap opera.

Now, it remains unclear if Morgan will come back as a ghost or vision from beyond, or if it will turn out that he is alive and well after everyone believed he was killed when a bomb meant for Julian Jerome blew up the car he was in. That incident took Craig off the show was back in 2016.

Photo: ABC

Speculation was high that Bryan could be the actor, GH EP Frank Valentini was referring to when he dropped the bombshell in an interview at the 51st annual Daytime Emmys that “a former cast member is coming back…and I think the audience will go crazy for HIM.”

Photo: BCraigIG

Craig continued to fuel the fire that he was on his way back to GH with a Father’s Day with himself and GH on-screen dad, Maurice Benard (Sonny), and then an image on his Instagram which looked like the GH set.

Photo: JPI

The actor began his TV career in 2013 when he took on the role of Sonny and Carly’s (Laura Wright son. After departing General Hospital three years later, Craig was cast on ABC’s Grand Hotel, and most recently appeared on Freeform’s Good Trouble, plus several independent motion pictures.

Now the question becomes is Bryan Craig’s one-day appearance who Valentini was referring to, or is there another male actor from the past still on their way back to Port Charles? Comment below.

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‘Santa Barbara’ Episodes May See Light of Day Yet; Will the Beloved Soap Opera Come to Streaming?

For decades, soap opera fans around the world have wanted a chance to see Santa Barbara episodes again. The soap, which first aired on NBC back on July 30, 1984 aired for only 9 seasons until the network pulled the plug after diminishing ratings and multiple changes in writing and producing regimes. The show last aired on January 15th, 1993.

Santa Barbara was co-created and initially produced and co-written by the legendary team of Bridget and Jerome Dobson. At the recent 51st annual Daytime Emmys, Jerome was honored with the Gold Circle medal for his over 50 years of work and accomplishments within the medium. Sadly his wife, Bridget passed away earlier this year in January at the age of 85.

The show featured an all-star soap cast throughout its run which included, at times: Marcy Walker, A Martinez, Dame Judith Anderson, Robin Wright, Justin Deas, Eileen Davidson, Lane Davies, Nancy Lee Grahn, Kim Zimmer, Jack Wagner, Jed Allan, Louise Sorel. Judith McConnell, Roscoe Born, Sydney Penny, Todd McKee, Terry Lester, Justin Gocke, Nicolas Coster and many more.

Photo: NBC

During a livestream conversation on Friday, June 21st, Jerome Dobson and A Martinez visited the Michael Fairman Channel to reminisce about the success and ups and downs of Santa Barbara and much more.

Many people in the live chat and many around the world (Santa Barbara was very popular internationally) have wanted to know with the legal issues it appears had plagued the show for years, if there would be a chance that fans could ever see Santa Barbara episodes again, and if they could become available or streamed?

Photo: JPI

Dobson shared exclusively, “Well, there’s some legal footwork being done right now about that kind of possibility. There’s been so much demand to see Santa Barbara, and so it’s not totally out of the question.” Martinez (ex-Cruz Castillo) reaction to that possibility was that of “Wow!” That was also the same reaction by several viewers watching the live conversation in the chat, because that would be a soap dream come true for many.

Photo: NBC

So, do you hope that the legalities can finally be worked out and you could relive the seasons of ‘Santa Barbara’ all over again? Let us know in the comment section below. You can check out the live chat with A and Jerome below, the moment happens around the 56:18 mark.

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